Husband working overseas, help!

L

lovinglife

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I wanted to ask something related to applying for a visa to the States.

I live in Europe and I met my husband in 1999, he is American and was based in Germany, the Armed Forces. I live in Denmark. We got married in 2002, and he got out of the Armed Forces in 2000 and came to stay with me. We never applied for him to stay in Denmark at that time because of him having a 2 year staying permit in Germany.
In 2003 he went back to the States shortly and the Army contacted him about him being a reserve in the Army, for the conflict that went on with Iraq, and so instead of getting sent there, possibly, he signed a contract with KBR to work as a civilian in Kuwait, later they sent their employees into Iraq though. We decided that since this was a very well paid job, that we were going to take care of financial debts and other things as saving some good money for the future, and since he worked for an American company, he wanted to keep his residence in the United States, I at that point wasn't sure if I wanted to eventually move there, and since he was/is living in Iraq because of the job, it didn't really matter where I lived. He comes home every 4 months then goes back again.
However, we don't want this to continue too much longer, he wants us to go back to the States and live there and I have agreed to it.
Now comes my question after this loooong explanation!

Will this be a problem for us, that during this whole time he has kept his residency in the States, and I have kept mine in Denmark? Will they think that is weird?

I'd be very thankful for any kind of answer on this!

Maria
 
lovinglife said:
Hi,

I wanted to ask something related to applying for a visa to the States.

I live in Europe and I met my husband in 1999, he is American and was based in Germany, the Armed Forces. I live in Denmark. We got married in 2002, and he got out of the Armed Forces in 2000 and came to stay with me. We never applied for him to stay in Denmark at that time because of him having a 2 year staying permit in Germany.
In 2003 he went back to the States shortly and the Army contacted him about him being a reserve in the Army, for the conflict that went on with Iraq, and so instead of getting sent there, possibly, he signed a contract with KBR to work as a civilian in Kuwait, later they sent their employees into Iraq though. We decided that since this was a very well paid job, that we were going to take care of financial debts and other things as saving some good money for the future, and since he worked for an American company, he wanted to keep his residence in the United States, I at that point wasn't sure if I wanted to eventually move there, and since he was/is living in Iraq because of the job, it didn't really matter where I lived. He comes home every 4 months then goes back again.
However, we don't want this to continue too much longer, he wants us to go back to the States and live there and I have agreed to it.
Now comes my question after this loooong explanation!

Will this be a problem for us, that during this whole time he has kept his residency in the States, and I have kept mine in Denmark? Will they think that is weird?

I'd be very thankful for any kind of answer on this!

Maria
Click to expand...

Hi:

I really do not see any problem with what you described. Your situation is fairly standard for someone who has a spouse in the military. Good luck.
 
lovinglife said:
Hi,

I wanted to ask something related to applying for a visa to the States.

I live in Europe and I met my husband in 1999, he is American and was based in Germany, the Armed Forces. I live in Denmark. We got married in 2002, and he got out of the Armed Forces in 2000 and came to stay with me. We never applied for him to stay in Denmark at that time because of him having a 2 year staying permit in Germany.
In 2003 he went back to the States shortly and the Army contacted him about him being a reserve in the Army, for the conflict that went on with Iraq, and so instead of getting sent there, possibly, he signed a contract with KBR to work as a civilian in Kuwait, later they sent their employees into Iraq though. We decided that since this was a very well paid job, that we were going to take care of financial debts and other things as saving some good money for the future, and since he worked for an American company, he wanted to keep his residence in the United States, I at that point wasn't sure if I wanted to eventually move there, and since he was/is living in Iraq because of the job, it didn't really matter where I lived. He comes home every 4 months then goes back again.
However, we don't want this to continue too much longer, he wants us to go back to the States and live there and I have agreed to it.
Now comes my question after this loooong explanation!

Will this be a problem for us, that during this whole time he has kept his residency in the States, and I have kept mine in Denmark? Will they think that is weird?

I'd be very thankful for any kind of answer on this!

Maria
Click to expand...


Maria,

You husband need to file the paperwork through the Consulate in Denmark. You mentioned that he stayed with you in Denmark at some point, is this correct? If so, you have nothing to worry about. People who in the military and stationed overseas are deemed technically to still be in the US, for the purpose of residency. :cool:

As I said, the consulate won't think that it is weird that you live in Denmark and he's in Iraq. Unless the US consulate want you to be by his side while he fight in Iraq... :rolleyes: You have nothing to worry or lose sleep over...prepare all necessary paperwork for the US Consulate and relax :D

Held og lykke
 
Thanks for the replies, but.....

Thank you for the replies, but he is not in the Army anymore. He is working for an American company in Iraq, would it still be the same? As for when he was with me, living in Denmark, he never changed his address or anything, so basically he officially lived in Germany then.

Will this change anything about your answers?

Charlotte
 
lovinglife said:
Thank you for the replies, but he is not in the Army anymore. He is working for an American company in Iraq, would it still be the same? As for when he was with me, living in Denmark, he never changed his address or anything, so basically he officially lived in Germany then.

Will this change anything about your answers?

Charlotte
Click to expand...

I still do not see big obstacles for you. You have taken some photos together at that time, maybe taken some trips together, flight tickets, train tickets? Even if not, a good explanation of your situation may very well overcome any doubt the officer may have.
 
Thanks for the reply, another question now

Thank you the replies! :)

Now I have another question, since this is becoming a reality, to apply for a visa, I hvae started to read anything about the processing etc....So now I bumped into something about that they can refuse a person a visa if they believe the person can become a public charge.
Now, I have a tissue disorder that they discovered in 2003, and since then I have been on health benefits through my Govt.
Can that affect their decision?
I mean neither me nor my husband have any intention to get divorced, we've gone through much to give up on our marriage.

Maria
 
lovinglife said:
Thank you the replies! :)

Now I have another question, since this is becoming a reality, to apply for a visa, I hvae started to read anything about the processing etc....So now I bumped into something about that they can refuse a person a visa if they believe the person can become a public charge.
Now, I have a tissue disorder that they discovered in 2003, and since then I have been on health benefits through my Govt.
Can that affect their decision?
I mean neither me nor my husband have any intention to get divorced, we've gone through much to give up on our marriage.

Maria
Click to expand...

Maria:

In the application process, you will have to undergo a medical exam. The medical exam looks into particular issues of concern with regards to health. Certain diseases are bars to immigration, others merely require proof of treatment etc.

Since you do not provide any more facts, and since I honestly know nothing about diseases/disorders, I can only urge you to be honest about it IF YOU ARE ASKED. Most diseases/disorders will not ultimately prevent immigration.
 
About my disorder

Well,

my disorder is categorized as an tissue disorder, basically means I have a constant inflammation in my tissues, which is affecting me by pain in my joints. I'm eating medication regularly and is as normal as anybody else, as far as my health, well almost. Because of this disorder and because our govt. are pretty generous with health benefits, I recieve sick payment and have been since 2003 and I haven't been working for years.

Maria
 
lovinglife said:
Well,

my disorder is categorized as an tissue disorder, basically means I have a constant inflammation in my tissues, which is affecting me by pain in my joints. I'm eating medication regularly and is as normal as anybody else, as far as my health, well almost. Because of this disorder and because our govt. are pretty generous with health benefits, I recieve sick payment and have been since 2003 and I haven't been working for years.

Maria
Click to expand...

Hi:

It does not sound to me as if this will be a bar to your immigration, but only the civil surgeon who does the medical exam will be able to tell you for sure.

BTW, I think you will find the govt. here in the US far less generous, and you will likely not receive any sick payment here ---- if you need significant medication, you will likely be paying for that yourself or will pay very high medical insurance bills monthly, if the medical insurance company accepts you as a member with the condition to start with.

I am not trying to scare you, but you do need to consider these costs realistically when you move --- the system is very different from any in Europe.
 
Ok....

lovinglife said:
Well,

my disorder is categorized as an tissue disorder, basically means I have a constant inflammation in my tissues, which is affecting me by pain in my joints. I'm eating medication regularly and is as normal as anybody else, as far as my health, well almost. Because of this disorder and because our govt. are pretty generous with health benefits, I recieve sick payment and have been since 2003 and I haven't been working for years.

Maria
Click to expand...


Maria,

As long as your disease is not communicable one, I see no issues for you. The US govt is concerned about communicable diseases, because of fear that they could affect a few people and quickly turn into a national disaster. For example, avian flu, HIV/AiDS are threats to most countries. :(

I just looked at the medical form which you have to complete, I see no box or allocation for the type of disease which you currently have. So, when you go to medical examination in Denmark, don't volunteer information which is not asked of you. Remember, as long as your husband or anyone isn't going to contract the disease from you, I will say you are fine. ;)

On govt benefits, the US is one of the worst in the civilized world. :rolleyes: So, you should not raise your hopes high, because you are going to be disappointed. To become a public charge doesn't mean being on social or govt benefits, because there people who are fine, but are on govt benefits.

I am little bit surprised that the Danish govt wouldn't extend those benefits to you while you live in the US. :confused: Since most scandanavian countries have super social programs, I was under the impression that you can carry those overseas. Simply because, I have a friend of mine, Columbian and his wife is Norwegian, and she told me that the Norwegian govt will pay for her medical expense in the US. So, I was really impressed that once's govt will be so dedicated and considerate. Was I deceived? :eek:
 
Well, I am allowed to keep my medical benefits

I do know that the sick payments I recieve from the Govt. I'm allowed to keep when moving to the States, there is an agreement on this I have read.
As far as my medication, well I guess I will have to pay for it myself.
How is it with health insurance, is it cheaper for your medication if having a good health insurance or does it not matter? My disorder is also not one to where I need doctors appointment all the time, but once a year I take blood tests, to see if the medication needs any adjustment, that's it.

Maria
 
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